Jakarta – Media observers and activists said Thursday the countless reports on Soeharto's ill health could evoke sympathy from the public, which would then lead to forgiveness over his alleged past crimes.
Chairman of the Alliance of Independent Journalists Heru Hendratmo said footage of Soeharto being carried on his bed through the hall, which depicted his weak condition and had been aired repeatedly by television stations, was a particular example.
"Pak Harto and his family get the most advantages of the 'over dose' of reports, which have somewhat ignored the condition of victims of his alleged crimes, including corruption and human rights abuses," Heru told The Jakarta Post.
"We can't let this happen. The truth must be revealed. Forgiving this one person will hurt million others," he said.
The Institute for Press and Development Studies, Ignatius Haryanto, said media coverage on Soeharto's illness "now purposely tended to evoke sympathy". "On the other hand, not many media outlets, especially TV stations, have made critical reports on his alleged past crimes," Ignatius said.
Soeharto has been treated at Pertamina Hospital in South Jakarta since Jan. 4.
Communication and media expert Effendi Ghazali told the Post earlier Wednesday the "sympathy-evoking coverage" could spark questions around the lack of balance in reportage.
"Those who believe in the conspiracy theory will question media ownership," Effendi said. The public may understandably wonder if Soeharto or his family is behind the media, he said.
Television stations including RCTI, TPI and Metro TV are connected either with Soeharto's family or his close companions.
A number of University of Indonesia (UI) graduates who are part of the 98 UI Big Family group said they wanted to remind the public of "the humanity destruction, the injustice and the under-development of people that took place during Soeharto's presidency and were results of his dictatorship".
The organization said in a written statement: "The coverage on his illness has been intentionally aimed at making the public forgive Soeharto and blinding them to his past mistakes".
Soeharto's family lawyer Juan Felix Tampubolon told the Post that during his several visits to the hospital, he had not heard Soeharto's family complain about the excessive media coverage.
Ignatius said other patients and their relatives who visited Pertamina Hospital could be disturbed by dozens of journalists overcrowding the building's main entrance every day over the past two weeks. He said journalists "should know their place and not disturb the medical service provider's activities".
But one visitor to the hospital said he had "no problem" with journalists being at the hospital around the clock and said they seemed aware of hospital policies and rules. "As a matter of fact, we (visitors) have a unique view with the journalists' activities here," Kemang resident Sugiono said.
Sugiono's family member was taken to hospital the same week as Soeharto. "This is not something we can see every day," he said. (wda/uwi)